Electric switch



. M. P. HOLMES ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Oct. 22 1917 0 30 C51 1 30 31 93 31G I r r I I Patented on. 13,1925.

UNITED sracrfss' PATE OFFECE.

MORRIS PJHOLIES, OR WONT, N'EW HALIISHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIW'AK HA- cn'nmnrcommr, A CORROR ATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Application filed October 22, 1917, Serial No. 19?,782. Renewed I 22-. 1924,

7 '0 all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, Morons P. Homes, a.

citizen of the United States, residing at Claremont,-in the county of Sullivan and I'State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful- Improvementsin Electric Switches;- of which the following" is a full,"clear,jand exact-specification. My invention relates to electric switches.

It has for its object to provide an improved electric switch especially adapted to use in connectionwith removable connectors or fuses.- A-further object of my invention is to provide an im mved connector or fuse and switch interl 'ng mechanism wherein the several connector or fuse connections can not be chan during current flow. A still further ob ect of my invention is 'to provide improved means wherein he connector or fuse elements can not be removed while current asses" through the machine, and. whe'reinflw 1en one or more of the connector or fuse element; has been removed, current can not be supplicdy'to the machine until the missing connector or fuse element or elements have been returnedto their proper position. More'specifically, my invention has among its objects to provide improved and simplified operating mechanism especially adapted to use in connection with multi-phase alternating current machines in gas laden atmospheres such as those encountered in mines, and operatively connected between the connector or fuse connections and the switch-in such a manner that the above mentioned results. may be obtained and all danger arising from the im proper operation of the mechanism by an ignorant operator thus overcoming. These and-other objects bf my impmved construction wilLhowever, be hereinafter more fully brought? out.

In order that m invention may be clearly and fully disc used, I have shown ,for. purposes of illustration in the accompanymg drawings oneembodiment of the same applied to use in amining machine, for facility of illustration showing the invention used in connection with a simplified form of start and'stop switch as distinguished from the more complicated startmg switch such as is ordinarily employed upona mining machine.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mining machine equipped with my improvement.

F i 2 is a vertical sectional view taken main y on line 22 of Fig. 1 with parts omitted. I

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of- Fig; 2 with parts broken away and with certain of'the component parts shown in different relative positions.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar. to Fig. 3, showing the parts in a different position of adjustment.

In this illustrative construction I have shown my invention as a plied to a machine 1 of-standard orm and-provided with any suitable cuttin mechanism 2, here shown as of the type a apted to cut a kerf in the coal face:

More specifically, it will be noted that this machine is provided with a motor 3 and mounted upon 5a shoe 4,

which is adapted to slide along the mine bottom, the power for feeding the same being supplid from the motor through suitable driving connections (not shown) to a flexible feeding member 5', herein shown in the form of a chain adapted to'be connected ad1accnt the face and more relative to suit-' able guiding elements 6 and Tcarn'ed on the machine frame. As in a usual mining ma.- chine constrnction, the movement of the machine is controlled through manipulation of a suitable friction controllin lever 8 mechanically controlling the feeding mech anism, a switch controlled by a handle 9 controlling the current supplied to the motor through a suitable cable 10.

The switch, hereinafter hifOTIECl to as the cont-roller, may be of any desired type, as distinguished from the simplified. form of contm ler for multi-phase circuits shown herein. In a. preferred form the same is cartied in an enclosed chamber 11 within the machine frame and comprises a plurality of rotatable elements or contactcarrying arms 12 provided with a plurality of contacts 13 thereon adapted to cooperate with stationary contacts 14 formed in the controller casing. In order to facilitate illustration, only two of these elements 12 hare been illustrated herein, but it ill be understood that whenever the root filler is used in an alternating circuit, one, two or the number of the same phase of the current u erable from the exterior. of the chamber 11 -andthat the same -is also provided with i an inner crank arm- 17 di osed within the casing and adapted to hold 1e same. in a plurality of POSlClOIlS through the engagement of a spring pressed plunger 18 thereon with a plurality of notches 19, herein two correignding to the on andF tl"? positions of controllerand formed in a. plate 20 carried within the machine frame. It will also be observed that, as in a. usual construct-ion, connector or fuse receiving members '21 and 22,conne'cted the'-linethrough connections 23 and 24,are herem Iprovided to receive the inner'ends of the comfector'-or fuse elementsj e imbs are electrically connected to the fuse receiving members by flexible connections which permit the necessary limited rotation of the hubs and contactarms 12. To facilitate thef'placing of the dilferent members,'p'revent the crossi of wires, and permit the use of short flex ible connections, the current is preferably passed throu h one connector or fuse to the front cont-r0 ler in the opposite direction to that in which the current flows in the remaining connectors or fuses. As is shown -in Fig.2, the current passing through the central fuse is taken from the line through a cable 24, and is passed through a holder '22, connector or fuse, a holder 21, and the first arm 12, to the motor. The current in the next connector or fuse is taken from the line by a. cable 23 and is passed through another holder 21, conn'ector or fuse, another holder 22, and the middle or second arm, to the motor. Thus, as in the usual construction, when the controller handle 9 is adjusted relative to its casing, the connections between the contacts 13 and 1% will be varied in a predetermined order, the current being supplied through the same when the plunger 18 is in one posit-ion and shut off from. the same when the plunger is in its opposite position. i

In the form ofmy improvement chosen for illustration herein, the invention is illustrated as applied to an alternatingcurrcnt machine, three connector elements, herein in the form of fuse elements 25 bcing provided, which are disposed in'alignment above the controller handle 9. As shown, the elements 25 are in the form of plugs insertahle in suitable bores or openings 26 in the frame concentric with but sligl'itly larger than the -the openings 26, as desired.

'in adapt able groove or no openings in the fuse receiving elements 21 and 22. As shown, these elements 25 are receivable in the openings 26 and having knobs 27 formed thereon to enable them to be readily withdrawn from or, inserted in V 4 Attention is here also, directedto the fact that each of the openings 26 is also. provided with a lon gitudinall extending groove or slot 28 there: to receive a projection or spline 29 formed on the inner end of the enlarged mos of each element 25. It will also 'c noted that a rotatable ring member 30 is disposed around the periphery of each of the openings 26 @ar the inner end thereof,

and this ring 0 is provided with a suitv tbh 31 adapted to register with the groove or slot 28 and to receive the projection or spline 29- on its element 25. Thus, it, will be noted that each'me'mber 25 may not be inserted in the casing until after it has been turned in such a manner that the projection or spline 29 thereon is brought into successive registry with the slot 28 and the notch '31, andthat thereafter the member 25 may be recipmcated relative to the casing' and the ring 36 in such-amanner-as to cause its inner end to seat incorrect position in the receiving elements 21 and 22. Obviously, by rotating the element 25 and the ring ,30 until the projection 29 is out-of registry with the slot.28, the member 25. may be. readily locked in positiont Codpcratin with the fuse elements above described, I operating with the controller whereby these elements are interlocked. As shown, these means include a transversely ,reciprocahle member 32 disposed within the frame and having a series of cut-away or dished-out portions or depressions 33 therein adapted to 'cooperate with different portions of the pe-' riphery of the rings 30 and to be locked in place when those members 30 are in prcde termined positions. In a preferred form these rings 30 are also prov ded with flattened portions 34: thereon so that the rings maybe rotated in such a manner as tobring these flattened portions 34 opposite the cut-away portions 33 in the rcciprocablc member 32. This member 32 is, as shown, movable in a suitable grooved-out portion 35 in the inside of the controller casing and is also operatively connected to the controller, hzu die in such a manner as to be movable thcr 1 with and to control the. movement there( i.

' provided with concentric larger outer ends.

ave also provided-means oo- In the form.of myinvention shown herei be moved when the elements arein the 'positionshown' in Fig. 3 due to the fact that a portion of thQme-mbers extend in-l to' the cut-away portions 33 on .the member 32, the controller may be movedv with entire freedom when the fuseelements have been rotated into theirpositions shown in Fig, 4, wherein the flattened portions 34 are opposite thezcut-away portions 33. Attention is also directed, to the fact that an exact and quick adjustment of the parts may. be insured by" providing an amuate transverse Slot 39in each of the bores or openings26 ineth ev frame and a pin 40 on each-of the rings 30. But one of these is shown in the premnt drawings. However, it will be understood that the arrangements of the-others'would be the same. Thus, it

be noted that'the?ring 3 0 may always be turned in'oneoperation'into such p'osi-V .tionas to insure there'lease of themember -32 andthe controller handle 9. a a

In line operation ofmy lmprovemenfl it will be observed that whenever it is desired portion of the 'in such a manner as, to bring against the end of its slot 39, it will be noted that not only is, the-"member 25 locked in P c but the fl e ed por ion 3 s bro g able switch element, a circuit controlling.

to remove a connector or fuse element, this may lie-readily accomplished by first movingflthje controller to off 'tion and then rotating the element audits ring'30 into a position wherein th'e groove 31 m' the ring.

registers with the corresponding slot 28 in,

-"elements than fuses,"and that it is my intention to include all such modifications within the casing, whereupon-the fuse elem'eiit; being unlocked," the same -may-be readily withdrawn. In this. position, howeven'it will 'be observed that,.as;sh'own in Fig 8,31 'pbery of the ring- 30 then extends into t "cut-away -portion;;.33!in the reciprocable member 3290 that-' the-eontroller may not be operated and must remain out of operation so long as the fuse element is removed. As the was 28 and.

31 are thus left in registry when the fuse element is removed, the latter may obviously. be returned to operative position without difiiculty. Afterrthis occurs and the fuse element 25 andrihg have been rotated the pin 40 opposite the cut-away portion 33 in the member 32 in such a mannerthat the latter may be reciprocated and the controller readily moved on the fuse element into its current-supplying position.

As a result of myimprovement, itwill be-noted that it is-rendered impossible for an unskilled operator to pull out any connector or fuse plug while current is ,flo ing through the machine, and that it is like ise also impossible for an unskilled o rator to apply current to the machine while a connector or fuse element is removed,thus effectively overcoming the difiiculties in the way" of explosions, etc. which have heretofore been experienced when a machine is operat-.

3. In an'electric switch,- zva pivotally'finofi by the latter during removal f novemgntg I ed in a gaseous mine by an unskilled operator. More specifically, itswill be observed that the casing is thus maintained closed or sealed at all times while currnt is flowing, as it-is impossible to open the siime by the removal of a plug until the current is oil and it, is then impossible to supplv current until the casing hasbeen again closed by replacement of the plug, all arcing within the casing and resultant danger of igniting a. gas laden atmosphere thus being avoided. It will also be noted that an exceedingly simple form of interlocking meclr anis'm is provided which is no way interferes with the normal operation'of the conso troller, and yet at the same time permits any individual plug or all the plugs to be readily locked in position and removed whenever-removal is desired. ;These and other advantages of my improvement will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

.While Ihave in this application specifically described one embodlment nhich my inventionmay assume in practice, itwill be understood that the same may be applied to other uses than in connection with mining machines and embodied in various Cl her forms with other ci'rcuit closers or switch devices than cont-rollers or other connector the scope of the. appended claims.

What Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric switch, a movable switch element, a connector comprising a single plug, and means for locking the'formerjn open position actuated by the latter upon a 1 removal movement thereof.

2. In an electric switch, a pivotally mov able switch element, a circuit controlling oonnectormovable in a direction substan-' tially rpendi'cularLto the plane ofz pivotall 5 movem eiit of said switch eleniehhmnd means {10 for lockingsthe, former: in} open position while the latteris removed.

neetor movable ina,dire'ctioh making 1 15 angle with the plane of fpivotalinqyeincnt of said switch-element, andmeansfforlcicli ing the former in open position thereof. t

4. In an electric switch, a pii'otally mov-. able switch element, a circuit controlling? connector movable in a direction substa'ir tially'perpendicularvto the plane of pivotal,

' movement'of saidfswitch element, and moanedfor locking the former in open position re leasable hpon an insertion movcmeutof the Y latter.

5. In an electric switch, a movable Switch element, a connector constituting: a circuit forming elcmentfor but one line of a circuit controlled bi said switch element and com-' prising a single plug, a socket for said connector plug, means for holding said connector plug against removal front said socket when said switch element is in circuit closing position, and means for locking the latter 1n open position actuated upon a removal movement of said connector plug.

6. In a controlling mechanism for electrical apparatus, a plurality of power leads, switch means for breaking the circuit through at least one-of said leads, connectors each comprising asingle separate plug inserted -in each of said ower leads, and means for lockin said switch means in open position made e ective upon removal of any one of said connectors;

7. In an electric circuit controlling mechanism, a. switchj arranged in a. circuit and comprising a movable switch element, means for independently making or breaking one branch of the circuit, and means for lockin the former element in open position lock ab e and releasable bv the latter means.

8.'In an electric switch, a movable switch element, a plurality of independently inorable connector elements, and locking and unlocking means for said switch element controlled by each of said connector elements 9. In an electric switch. a movable circuit closer element, a plurality of independently movable connector elements, and means for preventing movement, of the former save n apredetermined disposition of the latter. v

10. In an electric switch, a movable switch element, a plurality of independently rcmovable connector elements, and means for 40 rendering said switch element immovable upon removal of anyone-of said connector elements.

11. In an electric switch, a movable eircuit closer element, a plurality of independently movable connector elements, and means for holding the former in open position releasable only when all of the latter are in operative position. z

12. In a controller, a movable controller element, a removable connector element, and

means operable by said connector element for unlocking the same and locking said controller' element.

13. In a controller, a movable controller element, a removable connector element, and means operable by said connector element 15. In a controller, a. controller element,

a removable connector element, and means controllable by said connector element for simultaneously locking the same and unlocking said controller element.

16. In a controller, a controller element, a plurality of removable connector elements,

and means controlled by movement of but one of the same for unlocking said element and locking said controller element.

17. In a controller a controller element, a

19. In a controller, a. movable controller I element, a removable connectorelement, and means actuated upon rotation of said connector elementfor unlocking thesame andv locking said controller element.

20. In a controller, a movable controller element, a removable connector element, and means actuated upon rotation of said connector element for locking the same and unlocking said controller element.

21. In an electric switch, a movable switch element, a removable singleplug connector element. and means actuated upon movement of the latter for releasing one of said elements and locking the other.

22. In an electric switch, a movable switch element, a removable single-plug connector, and means actuated upon a movement of the latter to a predetermined position for locking the same and unlocking said switch element.

23. In an electric switch, a movable switch element, a removable single-plug connector, and means whereby the same may be locked in circuit closing position, said means being operative upon movement of the connec tor to withdraw the latter to unlock the same and lock said switch element.

24. In a controller, a casing, a movable element operable from the exterior thereof, a connector element removable from the exterior thereof, and interlocking connections 'controlled by movement of said connector element from a predetermined position for controlling both of said elements.

25. In a controller, a casing, a 'movable element operablejrom the exterior thereof,-

a connector element protrudin from said casing, and interlocking means between said elements for simultaneously locking one of szid elements and unlocking the other there- 0 26. In a controller, a casing, a movable element operable from the exterior thereof, a. connector element protruding from said gelement protmd of any of said connector elements position witlunsaid 7 a controller, a casing, 12. movable opembleLfi om-the exterior thereof,

'nncctorgelement -protruding from said o rable .in .a single opera W *toflmloek Bsif connector element-andflud inoyable element." J

.n casing e movable oberablmfi omtbe exterior thereof, a'bonnector elementrprotruding from said operable in a single opf'l ithilock; sa dic nn c k sin lea'elemenc:= 1 I" I element, nysingle-pold removable connectorplng; and means, cooperating therew th for revonting-removal-of the latter-while the -ormer is in circuit clos' position and closm'e of, the. former-while the latter is rewibiijin-an electric switch, elemenlgg; a; plurality of vables n dom m se .removnlkoffeny of the latter-w .rmer'js. in circuit cl position and sure-cl the former while 32.111 a oontroller, a cesin eoonnector ing fiomsai ,.and. interlocking connections between sex v cone movable switch :I nectar" end casing -i.i iel: iding a co- ,opetating} groove and e. projectnonon said oaning. anti'zconneetor {GSMiKQIL 4532151110 ramble; hevingegroov iidnpt eetto register with said 4 first groove and recei ve said: rojoction. V .7 1 -33,j-In a contro e154: casing, gremoyable connector elementprotruding therefrom, and means for locking the-seam in said casincluding a ring, a movable {controller element, and Lo rative connections between said controilerelement "and said ring. I J controller, sensing, 'a removable g-rconnector element therein; lockin connections therefor including a .rotat 1e ring,

3. movable controller elemenlt, and means opem with thoring foi oclung' said conl trillion-e einen 'r. in. ahprodetermineti position 0155 1 eeli n la el e, a e able i omes wm' :10 connections fol? include f e rotate in li g mews; .tem ell cv le t, end ,meens 36. In :1 cont element therein,

tor :element and fimalnraneloctricswitch, i1 moraible 4- element protrn T mdep n e t y r v irevent 1 l lc t movablo oonne cooperating with the ring for unlocking Said controller element only mined position of said ring. roller, a casing, a plurality; of removable connector elements therein, interlocking connections:thereforj-jnclnding a plurality. of rotatable dings, :al -vm'gvable controller element, and interlockinggonnee tions bet syeen' the latter and one l'ofsaid 37. In e controller, a:casing,.'a/ rectorjnterloo'lfingg, cpnncgtions therefor -i'ncluding able controller element, and tions therefor controlled said-{f "V 38.*In:a controller, a

.l element ,.tl1emin, interlocking-1, h "I 'i i nc u g. .a-m pm a. J'- r p e to bec trql ed-b I l-:;B11 f m q l mev emen i e i 2 fie a ipinion controlled said there for includ ng o rotetable -r ng, able controller element, and mceiisfgr. ing the rlatter'inclu mechanism adapted 4.0. In controlleria I e i emsndmgt dr mg meens on osei ossingi nnd elem nt including a projection on saidfelement and a on gn groove. lsposednt an; ezt said guiding; meens and 'adap'bed tofig gister therewith and receive saidreprojectiogn 41; In upoutrollene casing, a, connector elementv ,thgbmin; interlocking tjnie el aniznn therefor ixi'c udiixgjarotatablering 'n movable controllerjhandle, and means fox; lockmember actuated adapted .to "be con trolled by said handle and' y-said ring Iii-combination,

at multi ghisieieeh mg a movnble' elem eat; a pluralitof reotor elements electrics y connectable t erewith, and means for locking said mova le element inropen cireuit'position by a movement of any of said connector elements.

43; In .combina having a mo individually tion a multi-phase switch vable, element, a

r movable connector elements electrically connectable therewith, andmeans for preventing movement of said movable element to circuit closing position unless all of said connector elements are in operative position.

A.. In combination, a mnlti-phase s witch having a movable element, a durality of removable connector elements electrically con- .positinnof in a predetere plurality ofnecte'ole therewith,- and means for preventmg removal of any 1e connector element while seal 1 e lseenieww closing position and movement of said movable element to said position while any connector element is removed.

- tion and electrically ;connectable to said switch, and means for retaining all of said connector elements in operative position save in the open circuit osition of said switch, said means bein eld immovable in all other positions 0 :said switch.

46. In combination, a casing having a plurality of a ertures therein, a multi-phase switch in sai casing, a plurality of removable connector elements disposed in and clos ing said apertures when in operative position and electrically connectable to said switch, and means for. maintaining said switch in open circuit position while any connector element is removed. :47. In combination, a'i casing having a plurality of apertures therein, a multi-phase switch insaid casing, a plurality of removable connector elements disposed in and closing said a rtures when in operative position, "electrical connections therefor in said casing and connected to said switch, and means for preventing removal of any connector element while said switch is closed and retaining the latter in open position until return of all of said connector elements.

48. In a controller, a. casing, a movable element operable from the exterior thereof, a connector element removable from the exterior thereof,-and interlocking connections operative on movement of said connector element to a predetermined position to lock said movable element against movement and said connector element against direct withdrawal.

49. -In combination, a rotatable controller element, a connector element, and means in-. cluding a member rotatable manually while said controller element remains stationary operative in one position of said member to prevent rotation-of said controlle'felement and to permit withdrawal of said connector element.

50. In combination, a rotatable controller element, a connector element, and meansineluding a rotatable member having different stationary positions to which it may be moved operative in one position of said member to prevent rotation of said controller element and to prevent direct withdrawal of said connector element.

51. In combination with a rotatable. controller element, a connector element, and interlocking means cooperating with said elements including a rotatable member having different positions in which it will remain and in which said connector clement is respectively locked against removal and removable, said controller element being respectively unlocked and locked in such positions of said rotatable member.

52. In combination, a rotatable controller element, a connector element, and means for effecting locking of said connector element against removal including a manually rotatable member and means operative on rotation of said'controllor. element to a predetermined position to prevent rotation of said manually rotatable member topermit withdrawal of said connector element.

53. In an electric switch, a pivotally movable switch element and means for actuating the same, a circuit controlling connector movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of pivotal movement of the switch element, and means including a member rotatable relative to said switch element for locking the former in open position moved to releasing position when said connector is disposed in a predetermined f position.

54. In an electrical switch, a movable switch element, a connector constituting a circuitforming element forming but one line of a circuit controlled by said switch element and comprising a single plug, a socket for said connector plug, means for holding the connector plug against withdrawal from the socket when said switch element is in circuit closin position, and means including a separate e ement for locking the latter in open position operative on removal of said connector plug.

55. In an electric circuit controlling'mechanism, a switch arranged in a circuit and comprising a movable switch element, means for independently making and breaking one branch of the circuit, and means for locking the former element in open position respectively operative to effect lockin and unlocking in different angular positions of the latter.

56. In an electric switch, a movable circuit closing element, a plurality of independently movable connector elements, and means holding the former in open position permitting movement thereof to closed position only when all of the independently movable connector elements are in operative position.

57. In combination in a controller, a controller handle and a plug in circuit with said controller, means for locking said plug rotatable on an axis parallel to but offset from the axis of rotation of said handle, and means for interconnecting said locking means and said handle whereby said handle, though inoperative to move said first mentioned means, may govern its movement.

58. The combination with a controllerhaving a controller handle and a plug in circuit with said controller, of means for effecting-locking of said plug rotatable on nectar movable at an angle to the plailef of an axis parallel to'but offset fromthe axis pivotal movement of 'the switch element, of rotation of said handle, and fmea nsfor means for locking said connector ageing;

interconnecting said rotatable .means and removal, and 'ineans cooperating th fwith 5 said handle whereby-the position of said and operative. to' lock the switch against handle controls the position of said rotatmovement occupying its locking position able means and vice versa th0ugh neither when the connector .is-free to' be Withdrawn can move th other. v and while stillin its operative position.

59. In combination, a pivotally movable I0 switch element,. a circuit controlling con MORRIS P. HOL IES.

In testimony whereof I afiix mysl natu e. 

